Casing puller

ABSTRACT

A casing puller includes a body and at least one arm. The body has first and second ends, at least one end connectable to a drill pipe. The body defines a longitudinal axis and sized for insertion into a casing pipe. The at least one arm is disposed on the body and moves between a stowed position and a deployed position. The at least one arm extends away from the longitudinal axis when in its deployed position and is arranged to engage an arm receiver defined by the casing pipe.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. patent application is a divisional of, and claims priorityunder 35 U.S.C. §121 from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/660,119,filed on Oct. 25, 2012, which is hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to a casing puller for pulling a casing pipe.

BACKGROUND

Directional drilling or boring is generally used for installinginfrastructure such as telecommunications and power cable conduits,water lines, sewer lines, gas lines, oil lines, product pipelines, andenvironmental remediation casings. Directional drilling allows crossingwaterways, roadways, shore approaches, congested areas, environmentallysensitive areas, and areas where other methods are costlier or notpossible. The technique has extensive use in urban areas for developingsubsurface utilities as it helps in avoiding extensive open cut holes.The use may require that the operator have complete information aboutexisting utilities so that he/she can plan the alignment to avoiddamaging those utilities.

In general, a pipeline can be installed with a directional drillingapparatus under a barrier, such as highway, road, waterway, building, orother surface obstruction without disturbing the barrier. Installationof the pipeline under the barrier typically entails drilling a holeunder the barrier and then advancing a pipeline section through thehole.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the disclosure provides a casing puller which includes abody and at least one arm disposed on the body. The body has first andsecond ends. At least one end is connectable to a drill pipe. The bodydefines a longitudinal axis and is sized for insertion into a casingpipe. The at least one arm is disposed on the body and moves between astowed position and a deployed position. The at least one arm extendsaway from the longitudinal axis when in its deployed position and isarranged to engage an arm receiver defined by the casing pipe.

Implementations of the disclosure may include one or more of thefollowing features. In some implementations, the at least one arm ispivotally connected to the body, and rotates between its stowed anddeployed positions. The at least one arm may be substantially parallelto the longitudinal axis in its stowed position. In some examples, theat least one arm is slidably received by the body and slides between itsstowed and deployed positions. The at least one arm may slide betweenits stowed and deployed positions. Additionally or alternately, the atleast one arm may be spring biased toward its deployed position.

In some implementations, the body includes a stem a stem extending alongthe longitudinal axis, and first and second fins disposed on the stemand extending away from the longitudinal axis. Each fin iscircumferentially spaced from the other about the stem. In someexamples, the body further includes third and fourth fins, where all ofthe fins are equally spaced circumferentially about the stem.Additionally or alternatively, the stem may have a cylindrical shape. Asupport bracket may connect two adjacent fins. Each fin may define areceptacle housing a respective arm. The receptacle may define anaperture arranged for allowing manual movement of the at least one armbetween its stowed and deployed positions.

In some implementations, the casing puller includes a connector disposedon one of the first or second ends of the body. The connector defines anaperture for releasably connecting to a drill pipe. The connector mayswivel about the one of the first or second ends.

Another aspect of the disclosure provides a method of inserting a casingpipe into a bore. The method includes inserting a casing puller into acasing pipe. The casing puller defines a longitudinal axis and has anarm moveable between a stowed position and a deployed position. Themethod also includes moving the arm to its deployed position to engagean arm receiver defined by the casing pipe, moving the casing puller ina first direction wherein the deployed arm maintains engagement with thearm receiver of the casing pipe, and moving the casing puller in asecond direction, causing the arm to move to is stowed position,disengaging the arm from the arm receiver of the pipe casing.

In some implementations, moving the arm between its stowed and deployedpositions includes rotating the arm about a fulcrum. Moving the armbetween its stowed and deployed positions may include sliding the arm,and more specifically linearly sliding the arm. In some example, aftermoving the casing puller in the second direction, the method includesrotating the casing puller about its longitudinal axis in the casingpipe to an orientation unregistered from the arm receiver, and removingthe casing puller from the casing pipe. The method may include movingthe casing puller in the first direction to remove the casing pullerfrom the casing pipe. The arm receiver may include an aperture or groovedefined by the casing pipe.

Another aspect of the invention includes a casing pulling systemincluding a casing pipe, a body, and at least one arm disposed on thebody. The casing pipe defines an arm receiver. The body has first andsecond ends, and at least one end is connectable to a drill pipe. Thebody defines a longitudinal axis and is sized for insertion into thecasing pipe. At least one arm is disposed on the body and moves betweena stowed position and a deployed position. The at least one arm extendsaway from the longitudinal axis when in its deployed position and isarranged to engage an arm receiver. In some examples, the at least onearm is pivotally connected to the body, and rotates between its stowedand deployed positions. The at least one arm may be substantiallyparallel to the longitudinal axis in its stowed position. The at leastone arm may be slidably received by the body and slides between itsstowed and deployed positions; specifically, the at least one arm maylinearly slide between its stowed and deployed positions. The at leastone arm may be spring biased toward its deployed position.

In some implementations, the body includes a stem extending along thelongitudinal axis, and first and second fins disposed on the stem andextending away from the longitudinal axis. Each fin may becircumferentially spaced from the other about the stem. In someexamples, the body further includes third and fourth fins, where all ofthe fins are equally spaced circumferentially about the stem. The stemmay be of a cylindrical shape. Additionally or alternatively, a supportbracket connects two adjacent fins. Each fin may define a receptaclehousing a respective arm. In some examples, the receptacle defines anaperture arranged for allowing manual movement of the at least one armbetween its stowed and deployed positions.

In some implementations, a connector is disposed on one of the first orsecond ends of the body. The connector defines an aperture forreleasably connecting to a drill pipe. The connector may swivel aboutthe one of the first or second ends.

The casing pipe may define first and second apertures. Each aperture iscircumferentially spaced from the other. In some examples, third andfourth apertures are circumferentially spaced at an equal arc distancefrom the other.

The details of one or more implementations of the disclosure are setforth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Otheraspects, features, and advantages will be apparent from the descriptionand drawings, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating a reamer enlarging a pilot borefor installing the casing pipe.

FIG. 2 is a schematic view illustrating a casing puller pulling a casinginto a bore.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view illustrating retrieval of a casing pullerfrom a bore.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an exemplary casing puller system.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an exemplary casing puller.

FIG. 6 is a side view of the exemplary casing puller shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the exemplary casing puller shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8A is a side view of an exemplary arm of casing puller in itsdeployed position.

FIG. 8B is a side view of an exemplary arm of casing puller in itsstowed position.

FIG. 9 provides an exemplary arrangement of operations for a method ofpulling a casing pipe.

Like reference symbols in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring to FIGS. 1-3, a directional drilling method and apparatus 18may be used to install a pipeline under a barrier 10, such as highway,road, waterway, building, or other surface obstruction withoutdisturbing the barrier 10. In some implementations, installing apipeline under a barrier includes placing a drilling or boring apparatus18 on one side of the barrier 10, and directionally drilling apassageway 12 under the barrier 10. The passageway 12, or bore, is ofsufficient size to allow one or more sections of pipe 20 to be pushed orpulled lengthwise through the bore from one side of the barrier 10 tothe other. The installed section can be welded into the pipeline andtested.

Directional drilling may include drilling a pilot hole 12 under thebarrier 10 as a beginning of the directional drill process. The pilothole 12 can be achieved by excavation using fluid jetting or a down-holemotor and drill. Depending on the condition of the soil, the pilot bore12 is formed along a pre-determined alignment in which the path isselected by conventional methods. The typical pilot hole 12 on mostlarge rigs 18 is 9⅞″, but can vary depending on the soil conditions andrig size. A drill head 22 attached to the end of a drill pipe 20 drillsor cores the pilot hole 12. Drilling fluid is pumped through the drillpipe 20 to a drill head and jetted through or pumped through a drillmotor. The drill fluid lubricates the drill stem and carries out cutdebris to the surface. The drill fluid is then recycled and re-injectedinto the drill stem 20. Forming the pilot hole 12 can take several days,depending on the condition of the soil and may require changing of thedrill pipe 20 or drill head 22.

When drillers start the directional drilling process, they consider thepath that the drill pipe 20 will follow, specifically the depth andangle that the drill pipe 20 has to take to get to the other side of thebarrier 10. The drilling path is usually determined before the start ofthe drilling process based on the geology of the earth. Once thedrilling process is initiated, the drillers constantly take measurementsand analyze the depth and the inclination of the bore 12. Thesemeasurements are important to verify that the drilled path is consistentwith the planned path. In some examples, a down-hole motor is used. Thedown-hole motor is housed in a drill string 20 directly above the drillbit 22. The down-hole motor allows the drill bit 22 to turn while thedrill string 20 stays fixed. A measurement tool may be attached to thedown-hole motor to provide the drillers with continuous measurements ofdepth and inclination of the bore 12.

The directional drilling may form a curved or non-linear pilot hole 12extending from one end 14 of the barrier 10 to the another end 16 of thebarrier 10. Once formed, the pilot hole 12 is enlarged with a reamingprocess. The reaming process employs a reamer 50, which is sometimesreferred to as a hole opener. Reamers 50 come in different shapes andsizes and vary depending on the soil conditions and density of the soil;typically, a fly cutter is used in good ground conditions. The reamingpass(es) can be done in several steps, depending on the size of thehole. For example, a 42″ diameter finish hole may need 3 to 5 differentream passes of 14″, 20″, 34″, and 42″ diameters. The reaming processincludes attaching a reamer 50 to the drill string 20 (e.g., drill pipe)and rotating and pushing and/or pulling the reamer 50 through the pilotbore 12. The reaming process may include pumping a drill fluid (e.g.,water or slurry) through the drill pipe 20 to the reamer 50. Theexcavated soil is suspended in the drill fluid and then brought to thesurface and recycled. In some examples, when the reamer is attached tothe drill string 20, a drill pipe 20 extends on both sides of the reamer50, thus allowing for the drill string to be in the hole 12, 13 at alltimes. The reaming process can take a significant amount of timedepending on the condition of the soil.

After a desired hole size has been achieved and the reamer 50 has passedthrough the hole 12 completely, a mud pass or packer reamer may bepassed through the reamed hole 13. The mud pass or packer reamer assuresthat the hole 13 is clean of all excavated material and that the drillfluid has filled the hole completely, to allow for a smooth lubricatedpull back of the pipe, avoiding friction of a pull section.

When rock or other hard materials are encountered in the drillingoperation, problems can arise which cause the installation of a casingpipe 200 to be difficult and expensive. For example, when installing alarge-diameter pipeline, such as a 36″ or 40″ pipeline under aninterstate highway that may be 300 feet wide, massive forces can bepresent during the directional drilling process. The large forces canresult from encountering hard materials along the drill path, making itdifficult, if not impossible, to form the bore 12 and subsequently pulla casing pipe 200 throughout an enlarged bore 13.

The need for improvements is particularly long-felt in directionaldrilling for pulling a casing 200 through the enlarged bore 13.

FIGS. 1-3 illustrate stages of an exemplary drilling process. FIG. 1illustrates drilling a pilot bore 12 under a barrier 10, such as aroadway. A drilling rig 18 carrying the drill pipe 20 is driven to thedrilling location and positioned by a first end 14 of the barrier 10. Adrill string 20 housing a down-hole motor is located directly above thedrill bit 22. The down-hole motor allows the drill bit to turn while thedrill string 20 stays fixed.

Once the first end 14 of the barrier 10 is opened, the directionaldrilling rig 18 can be used to drill the pilot bore 12 from the firstend 14 of the barrier 10 to a second end 16 of the barrier. The drillingrig 18 may include a powered rotator (not shown) for rotating a drillpipe 20 carrying a drill bit or drill head 22. The drilling rig 18 maybe mounted on or includes an advancer for advancing the drillingoperation. For example, the drilling rig 18 can be mounted on tracksthat allow the entire drilling rig 18 to move and advance the drillingoperation. The drilling rig may be a carrier drilling rig 18 able todrive to different location for drilling.

FIG. 1 also illustrates enlarging the pilot bore 12 to an enlarged bore13 having a larger diameter than the pilot bore 12 using a reamer 50.The drill pipe 20 is operatively connected to a drilling rig 18positioned near the second end 116 of the barrier 10. The reamer 50 iscoupled to the drill pipe 20 extending through the pilot bore 12. Thedrilling rig 18 rotates, pushes and/or pulls the drill pipe 20 andattached reamer 50 through the pilot bore 12 to enlarge the size of thepilot bore 12. Enlarging the pilot bore 12 to the enlarged bore 13 canbe accomplished by rotating and horizontally advancing the drill pipe 20with the reamer 50 connected thereto. The reamer 50 may enlarge thepilot bore 12 from the second end 16 to the first end 14 beneath thebarrier 10, from the first end 14 to the second end 16, or in bothdirections. While advancing the reamer 50, a guide assembly steers thereamer 50 along the path of the pilot bore 12. Since the reamer 50 isattached at both ends to a drill pipe 20 extending between the first andsecond ends 14, 16 of the barrier 10, a drilling rig 18 may be used fromeither side of the barrier 10 to push and/or pull the reamer 50 throughthe pilot bore 12.

During the drilling operation, the drill pipe 20 and the reamer 50receive drilling fluid from a drilling fluid pump in fluid communicationwith a tank. The drilling fluid pump pumps drilling fluid from the tankthrough flexible tubing (or any suitable conduit), the rotatablecoupling, and into the drill pipe 20. One or more small ports thatformed in the reamer 50 deliver the drilling fluid to the region of thecutting. The flowing drilling fluid cools the reamer 50 and aids inlubricating the cutting of the earth and rock to enlarge the pilot bore12 to the desired enlarged bore 13. During a reaming pass, the pilotbore 112 can be used to supply fluids to the reamer 50 while theenlarged bore 13 behind the reamer 50 can be used for removing the cutdebris or cuttings. As the enlarged bore 13 is being drilled, it remainssubstantially filled with drilling fluid and cuttings.

The drilling rig 18 rotates the coupled drill pipe 20 in direction ofrotation A. While the direction of rotation A, whether clockwise orcounterclockwise, is not critical to the drilling operation, when usinga threaded connection, the direction of rotation should not unscrew theconnection. When connected to the drill pipe 20, the reamer 50 rotateswith the drill pipe 20 and enlarges the pilot bore 12.

The drill pipe 20 and reamer 50 can be selectively moved or advanced inthe forward and reverse direction B, C of a drilling direction. Duringthe drilling operation, the reamer 50 is carefully advanced horizontallyin the drilling direction B to advance from one end 14, 16 of thebarrier 10 to another (e.g., from the second end 16 toward the first end14). Upon reaching the opposite end 14, 16 (e.g., the first end 14), theenlarged bore 13 is completed, and the reamer 50 is removed from thedrill pipe 20. More than one reaming pass may be used to enlarge thepilot bore 12 to the desired diameter for the enlarged bore 13. Areaming pass can be made from either the first end 14 to the second end16 or vice versa.

Referring to FIG. 2, after the reaming process is complete, a casingpipe 200 may be pulled into the reamed hole 13. The passageway 13 is ofsufficient size to allow one or more sections of casing pipe 200 to bepushed or pulled lengthwise through the bore 13 from one side 14 of thebarrier 10 to the other side 16. A casing puller 100 may be used to pullthe casing pipe 200 from the second hole 16 to the first end 14, or viceversa. The casing puller 100 may be releasably attached to a drill pipe20. The drill pipe 20 may be connected to an excavator 24 on the firstend 114 of the barrier 110 and to the drilling rig 18 on the second end16 of the barrier 10. The drill pipe 20 guides the casing puller 100from one end 14 to the other end 16. When the casing puller 100 reachesthe second end 16 of the barrier 10, the pipe casing 200 extendsthroughout the length of the bore 13.

Referring to FIG. 3, when the drilling rig 18 completes pulling thecasing puller 100 and the casing pipe 200 is installed throughout thebore 13, an excavator 24 retrieves the casing puller 100 from the firstend 14 of the barrier 10. The excavator 24 pulls the casing puller 100in a direction C opposite to the direction B of pushing the casing pipe200 through the bore 13. In some examples, the casing puller 100 may beremoved from the casing pipe 200 in the same direction as the casingpipe 200 into the bore 13.

Referring to FIGS. 4-8B, a casing puller system 300 includes a casingpuller 100 and a casing pipe 200. The casing puller 100 is sized to beinserted into the casing pipe 200. The casing pipe 200 has an armreceiver 210 for receiving an arm 110 of the casing puller 100. Afterthe drilling and reaming a bore 13, a casing pipe 200 is inserted intothe bore and sometimes cement may be used to hold the casing 200 intoplace. The cement used to secure the casing pipe 200 to the boreprevents contamination of the fluid that is passing through.

The casing puller 100 includes a body 104 having first and second ends102 a, 102 b. The body 104 defines a longitudinal axis L. The body 104may be a cylindrical shape, a rectangular prism, a pentagonal prism,hexagonal prism, or any other shape. In some examples, a connector 140is disposed on the first end 102 a of the body 101. The connector mayinclude an aperture 142 for releasably connecting to a drill pipe. Theconnector 140 may swivel about the first end 120 a improving maneuveringof the system 300 when pulling it through the bore 13. In some examples,the connector 140 is fixed about the first end 120 a. The connector 140may be of any shape adapted to releasably connect to the drill pipe 20.

In some implementations, one or more arms 110 may be disposed on thebody. Each arm 110 moves between two positions, a deployed position(FIG. 8A) and a stowed position (FIG. 8B). In the deployed position, thearm 110 engages an arm receiver 210 defined by the casing pipe 200, andextends away from the longitudinal axis L. The arm 110 and the armreceiver 210 may have complementary shapes. For example, the arm 110 maydefine a rectangular in shape, and therefore the arm receiver 210 mayalso be rectangular to receive the arm 110. In other examples, the arm110 defines a square shape, and the arm receiver 210 is also a square toreceive the arm 110 and complement its shape. The arm 110 may be of anyshape including a sphere, a rectangle or and upside down rectangle, orany other shape. In some examples, the shape of the arm receiver 210 isnot complementary to the shape of the arm 110.

In some implementations, the body 101 includes a stem 106. The stem 106extends along the longitudinal axis L. The stem 102 may be a cylindricalshape (as shown), a triangular prism, a rectangular prism, a pentagonalprism, hexagonal prism, or any other suitable shape. One or more fins120 may be disposed on the stem 106. The fins 120 extend away from thelongitudinal axis L. The fins 120 may be circumferentially spaced fromone another about the stem 106. In some examples, where the stem 106 hasa triangular prism shape, the body 101 may include three fins 120 eachdisposed on one face of the triangular prism. In situations where thestem 106 has a hexagonal prism shape, the body 101 may include six fins120. Other variations of the shape of the stem 106 and the number offins 120 are possible as well.

In some implementations, each fin 120 defines a receptacle 126. Eachreceptacle 126 houses an arm 110. Each receptacle 126 defines anaperture 128 which allows the arm to manually move from its stowedposition to its deployed position, as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B. The armpivotally connects to the body 101. The arm may be substantiallyperpendicular to the longitudinal axis L in its deployed position (FIG.8A). The arm 110 may be substantially parallel to the longitudinal axisL in its stowed position, and housed within the aperture 128 (FIG. 8B).A bolt 122 may secure the arm to the fin 120 and may allow the arm 110to pivotally rotate about the bolt 122. Therefore, the bolt 122 allowsthe arm 110 to pivot for its deployed to its stowed position.

In some implementations, the arm 110 is slidably received by thereceptacle 126. The arm 110 is substantially perpendicular to thelongitudinal axis L in both its stowed and deployed positions. In itsstowed position, the arm 110 is substantially hidden within thereceptacle 126. The arm 110 may be spring biased within the receptacle126 to allow the arm 110 to linearly move from its stowed position toits deployed position.

In some implementations, each fin 120 includes first and second platesconnected by a backing plate 112. The first and second plates may besubstantially parallel and perpendicular to the longitudinal axis L, andreleasably connected with one another by a bolt 122. The first andsecond plates define the receptacle 126. The first and second plates mayeach include an alignment hole 124 to align the plates together.

In some examples, a support bracket 130 connects two adjacent fins 120to secure each fin 120 in its position and prevent the fins 120 frombecoming flimsy after wear and tear of the casing puller 100. Thebracket 130 may protrude from one fin 120 a and extend to an adjacentfin 120 b forming a fan-like shape between two fins 120 a, 120 b. Thebracket 130 may be a rod connecting two adjacent fins 120 a, 120 b.

FIG. 9 provides an exemplary arrangement of operations for a method ofpulling a casing pipe 200 through the length of a bore 13. The methodincudes inserting 902 a casing puller 100 into a casing pipe 200 andmoving 904 the arm 110 to its deployed position. The casing puller 100defines a longitudinal axis L and includes an arm 110, which may bemovable between a stowed position and a deployed position. The casingpipe 200 defines an arm receiver 210 that engages the arm 110 when inits deployed position. The arm receiver 210 may include an aperture orgroove defined by the casing pipe 200. The arm receiver 210 and the arm110 may have complimentary shapes so that the arm receiver 210 securelyreceives the arm 110.

The method also includes moving 906 the casing puller 100 in a firstdirection C wherein the deployed arm 110 maintains engagement with thearm receiver 210 of the casing pipe 200. The engagement of the casingpuller 100 and the casing pipe 200 allows the drilling rig 18 tosecurely pull the casing pipe 200 throughout the bore 13. The methodincludes moving 908 the casing puller 100 in a second direction B,causing the arm 110 to move to its stowed position by disengaging thearm 110 from the arm receiver 210 of the casing pipe 200.

Several implementations may be considered to move the arm from a stowedposition to a deployed position or vice versa. In some examples, themethod includes rotating the arm 110 about a fulcrum. In some examples,the method includes sliding the arm 110 using a spring that connects thearm 110 to the body 104. The arm 110 may linearly slide in a directionperpendicular to the longitudinal axis L. Additionally or alternately,the method may include rotating the easing puller 100 about itslongitudinal axis L in the casing pipe 200 to an orientationunregistered from the arm receiver 210. The rotation of the casingpuller 100 disengages the arm 110 from the arm receiver 210 and allowspulling the casing puller 100 in the first direction C or in the seconddirection B.

A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it willbe understood that various modifications may be made without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, otherimplementations are within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: inserting a casing pullerinto a casing pipe, the casing puller comprising: a body having firstand second ends, at least one end connectable to a drill pipe, the bodydefining a longitudinal axis and sized for insertion into the casingpipe; and at least one arm disposed on the body and moving between astowed position and a deployed position, the at least one arm extendingaway from the longitudinal axis when in its deployed position andarranged to engage an arm receiver defined by the casing pipe; whereinthe body comprises: a stem extending along the longitudinal axis; andfirst and second fins disposed on the stem and extending away from thelongitudinal axis, each fin circumferentially spaced from the otherabout the stem and defining a receptacle housing a respective arm;moving the at least one arm to its deployed position to engage an areceiver defined by the casing pipe; moving the casing puller in a firstdirection wherein the deployed at east one arm maintains engagement withthe arm receiver of the casing pipe; and moving the casing puller in asecond direction, causing the at least one arm to move to its stowedposition, disengaging the at least one arm from the arm receiver of thepipe casing.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the at least onearm between its stowed and deployed positions comprises rotating the atleast one arm about a fulcrum.
 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the atleast one arras is substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis inits stowed position.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein moving the atleast one arm between its stowed and deployed positions comprisessliding the at least one arm.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein movingthe at least one arm between its stowed and deployed positions compriseslinearly sliding the at least one arm.
 6. The method of claim 4, furthercomprising: after moving the casing puller in the second direction,rotating the casing puller about its longitudinal axis in the casingpipe to an orientation unregistered from the arm receiver; and removingthe casing puller from the casing pipe.
 7. The method of claim 6,further comprising moving the casing puller in the first direction toremove the casing puller from the casing pipe.
 8. The method of claim 1,wherein the arm receiver comprises an aperture or groove defined by thecasing pipe.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the at least one arm isspring biased toward its deployed position.
 10. The method of claim 1,wherein the body further comprises third and fourth fins, all of thefins equally spaced circumferentially about the stem.
 11. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the stem has a cylindrical shape.
 12. The method ofclaim 1, wherein a support bracket connects two adjacent fins.
 13. Themethod of claim 1, wherein the receptacle defines an aperture arrangedfor allowing manually movement of the at least one arm between itsstowed and deployed positions.
 14. The method of claim 1, wherein thecasing puller further comprises a connector disposed on one of the firstor second ends of the body, the connector defining an aperture forreleasably connecting to the drill pipe.
 15. The method of claim 14,wherein the connector swivels about the one of the first or second ends.